EMU hosts Michigan high school forensics tournament

YPSILANTI - Having hosted three national college forensic tournaments, 33 college championships and fresh off a great showing at this year's national forensic competition, there probably wasn't much discussion that Eastern Michigan University was the right place to host the 2004 Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association's State Championship.

More than 1,000 high school students representing 90 schools from Metro Detroit to the Upper Peninsula will come to EMU April 30 and May 1. The competition is from noon-9 p.m., Friday, April 30 and 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, May 1 at Sponberg Theatre and Pray-Harrold. The competition is free and open to the public. There is an awards ceremony Saturday at 5 p.m. at Sponberg Theatre.

Students, from grades 9-12, will participate in 12 different categories including; prose, duo, dramatic interpretation, sales speaking, oratory, informative, multiple, poetry, story telling, broadcasting, extemporaneous, and impromptu. There are three preliminary rounds before each field is trimmed to 12 semifinalists.

"I would sit in on the extemporaneous speaking or a duo portion," said Brendan Kelly, assistant director of forensics at EMU and one of the coordinators of the event. "They tend to be more interpretive and performative."

Don't confuse debate teams with forensic teams, Kelly said. "Debate is argumentative discourse, this is much more presentational. The student gets up and says what they have to say and that's it," said Kelly.

As for the winners, Kelly said they're awarded trophies and "bragging rights."

Eastern Michigan University is a public, comprehensive, metropolitan university that offers programs in the arts, sciences and professions. EMU prepares students with the intellectual skills and practical experiences to succeed in their careers and lives, and to be better citizens.

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Eastern Michigan University is a public, comprehensive
university that offers programs in the arts, sciences and professions.
EMU prepares students with the intellectual skills and practical experiences
to succeed in their career and lives, and to be better citizens.